Wildfire Season Preparation Tips
July 16, 2026August 15, 2026
Every September, National Preparedness Month gives organizations an important opportunity to evaluate how well they could support their teams during and in the aftermath of a disaster. Recent events demonstrate the growing need for proactive planning.
Preparation can help your organization respond faster, communicate clearly, and connect affected team members with essential assistance. In this article, we explain why disaster readiness matters and outline practical steps to help your team navigate emergencies safely and effectively.
The Growing Threat of Natural Disasters
In 2025, the United States experienced 23 weather and climate disasters, each causing at least $1 billion in damage. These events caused approximately $115 billion in losses and 276 deaths.
The threat continued into 2026. During the first six months, 12 billion-dollar disasters caused at least $31.9 billion in damage and 183 deaths.
More frequent heat waves, destructive wildfires, floods, and severe storms underscore the need for proactive planning. Comprehensive preparation can help organizations protect their teams, respond effectively, and recover faster.
The Increasing Frequency and Intensity of Disasters in 2026
Extreme weather continues to place lives, communities, and organizations at risk. In the first half of 2026, the United States experienced 12 weather and climate disasters, each causing at least $1 billion in damage. These events caused at least $31.9 billion in losses and 183 deaths. The total ranked fifth-highest for any January-to-June period since records began in 1980.
Severe storms accounted for 8 of the 12 disasters. With only about 16 days between billion-dollar events during the past decade, organizations must prepare their teams before emergencies occur.
Disaster Prep Tips for Individuals
Being prepared involves a series of steps that individuals, families, and organizations can follow:
- Make a Plan: Discuss with family and friends how you'll communicate during and after a disaster. Organizations should also have plans to support team members during emergencies. Update your plans based on the latest recommendations, especially in light of ongoing global events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Build a Kit: Assemble supplies to sustain everyone in your household for several days post-disaster. Consider the unique needs of each individual and pet.
- Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness: Understand the risks in your area and take measures to strengthen your home against common hazards. Regularly review your insurance coverage.
- Teach Youth About Preparedness: Engage with children about emergency preparedness, ensuring they know what to do if separated from family.
Disaster Prep Tips for Organizations
Organizations play a pivotal role in disaster preparedness, ensuring the safety of their employees and the continuity of operations:
- Know Your Risks: Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential emergencies and prioritize them based on impact and likelihood.
- Build a Response Team: Engage experts from various departments to create a comprehensive disaster response plan.
- Establish an Evacuation Plan: Designate primary and secondary evacuation routes. Ensure routes are well-lit, marked, and accessible.
- Establish a Relief Fund: In the aftermath of a disaster, a relief fund can support affected team members. Consider establishing a fund with Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF) for quick and efficient financial assistance, ensuring support reaches those in need.
The integration of relief funds into an organization’s CSR and HR strategy will be essential in mitigating the human and economic toll of future disasters and hardships on employees.
How Establishing a Disaster Relief Fund With Emergency Assistance Foundation Will Help Provide Aid
If you’re interested in ensuring your team members are well taken care of but unsure about how to launch an employee relief fund, we’re here to help!
In the aftermath of severe weather, a disaster, or personal hardship, your organization needs the ability to help impacted team members rebuild and recover from the potentially devastating impact. A relief fund can boost morale and enable your employees to donate and contribute directly to supporting their fellow team members. Establishing a relief fund can alleviate the stress that disasters and hardships put on those within your organization, allowing them to stay focused on recovering from the event.
If your organization is interested in launching a relief fund, consider establishing a fund with EAF today. As a financial first responder, we’re resourceful and fearless in ensuring that financial assistance reaches individuals in need, no matter the unique circumstances involved.
By establishing a fund with us today, your organization can support team members affected by wildfires and other hardships. Relief fund grants can help individuals impacted by difficult times pull through and start on the path toward recovery. If you’d like to learn more about how your organization can help your team during crises, you can review additional information about how a fund works or contact us today.
We look forward to helping you make a difference for those who need it most!
